Richard L. Graves Middle School received the Golden Bell Award this week for recognition of excellence in education.

After a site visit from the California School Board Association that took place on Monday, principal Dr. Fraijo stated, “The California School Board Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award program is a competitive application-based program that recognizes excellence in education. This would give Graves some bragging rights about receiving additional statewide recognition for an outstanding AVID program. This would also make Graves the most recognized middle school in the Whittier Area.”

Dr. Fraijo received news of Graves Middle School’s induction into this prestigious group Tuesday. Graves is already considered a Gold Ribbon School, Title I Academic Achievement School, AVID National Demonstration School, and now a CSBA Golden Bell School.

The California School Board Association states that the Golden Bell Awards, “promotes excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs.”

Now that the school has received this new recognition, Grave’s principal believes that the school may potentially receive visitors from other schools who desire to take part in an exceptional AVID program and Golden Bell Award School. Dr. Fraijo says that this award, “would reaffirm our students that they attend an outstanding middle school that they can be proud of, and a school where they can learn at high levels.”

“I am primarily excited about two things, first that another outside organization is affirming that Graves is filled with dedicated staff members who go above and beyond to make a difference for all students,” stated Dr. Fraijo. “I am also very excited that our Board of Trustees will receive the recognition they fully deserve. We have become a statewide and nationally recognized school because of the direction and support our Board of Trustees has given us over the past several years. This is truly their accolade, and we are both proud of them and grateful for them.”

The school will be formally recognized at an awards banquet that will take place on Thursday, November 30th in San Diego.